Open AccessSelective versus stochastic processes in the genetic differentiation of populations of the butterfly Erebia embla (Thnbg) (Lepidoptera, Satyridae)
Author(s) -
DOUWES PER,
STILLE BO
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
hereditas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1601-5223
pISSN - 0018-0661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5223.1988.tb00179.x
Subject(s) - biology , butterfly , lepidoptera genitalia , gene flow , allele , population , genetic drift , nymphalidae , allele frequency , evolutionary biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , genetics , genetic distance , genetic variation , zoology , ecology , gene , demography , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science
Four populations of the butterfly Erebia embla were studied by allozyme electrophoresis. Three populations were isolated by distance and the fourth by distance and time (flying in different years). Populations differed significantly in allele frequencies at five polymorphic loci, but the difference between the odd year population and the even year populations was not larger than the differences among the latter. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the genetic differentiation was lower than expected if caused by drift and gene flow only, whereas strong heterotic selection could explain the low F ST value (0.02). We therefore conclude that the genetic variation of the populations is stabilized by selective forces permitting stochastic processes to operate within narrow limits only.